Little pens, big dreams: Students become published authors in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Peace Corps Volunteer Kiley W. collaborated with the literacy committee at her school to publish a book of first- to sixth-grade student writing, which inspired greater student interest in writing, raised funds for the school’s literacy program, and attracted the attention of national leaders.

The students at my school often write notes, poems, and short stories spontaneously and gift them to each other or their teachers.

Wanting to capitalize on student creativity, our school planned a more ambitious writing contest than they’ve held in the past.

As a member of the school’s literacy committee, I proposed creating a book that would feature the contest’s winning pieces. The idea captured our committee’s imagination, so we decided to form a special subcommittee that was dedicated to developing the contest and the book.

The writing contest

The contest generated a great deal of enthusiasm, especially after students learned that the winning submissions would be published in a book. However, we struggled to receive enough submissions. Many students were intimidated by the task of writing a story for possible publication. Some students didn't know where to start and needed guidance and dedicated time to craft their pieces.

Our subcommittee sent out reminders to teachers, offering writing workshops to support third- to fifth-grade students in brainstorming and developing a story arc. Once they got some support, students were off to the races and eagerly wrote their stories. The literacy committee also worked closely with students to edit and refine their work.

Supporting student learning

This process not only helped students learn about the writing process, but it also improved their grammar and creative writing skills.

"The task of crafting a story for this book afforded students a distinct opportunity to think critically, write creatively, and master the writing process. This experience, combined with classroom instruction, helped them develop into truly skilled writers,” said Phylicia P., a language arts teacher. “For instance, one student recently applied descriptive imagery during a simple error-correction exercise. This was impressive because it demonstrated her ability to bring creative thinking into even the most ordinary academic tasks."

After extending the deadline by two weeks, we received more than enough submissions to move forward with the contest. We expanded the book to feature a total of 38 of the strongest poems and stories.

Designing the book

The literacy committee and the principal collaborated to develop several elements of the book, including the dedication, back-cover details, description, cover page, title, and additional content. The development of the book was truly a team effort and a labor of love.

In the end our book “Little Pens, Big Dreams” was published as a generous donation from a U.S. publisher. While on Christmas leave in the United States, I collected as many copies as could be packed in three bulging suitcases—which turns out to be 170 or so books.

Pride in publication

Upon my return to my site in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I visited each class to share the book and gather feedback from staff and students. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Students were surprised and delighted by the final product. In nearly every class, after reviewing the book, students expressed interest in submitting a poem or story during the next contest, hoping to become published authors themselves.

One of the most significant outcomes of the book’s publication has been the support shown by students whose work was not published. Students visit the library daily to read “Little Pens, Big Dreams.” They enjoy reading stories and poems written by their classmates at their own reading level. The smiles, joyful conversations, and positive energy surrounding the book were outcomes we did not anticipate.

Sustainably funding local literacy

Several copies of the book exist in our school library and copies are sold to authors and students at a steep discount. Within a few days, the school sold 25 copies, and sales have since reached about $2500 (Eastern Caribbean dollars, equivalent to about $920 USD), with all proceeds directly supporting literacy activities. This initiative is one of the largest single fundraising events the school has held.

An impact beyond the community

The principal and literacy committee held an official book launch during Literacy Week in February to celebrate students’ hard work and creativity. The invitation list included the Prime Minister, ministry officials, Peace Corps staff, parents, and other community members.

Additionally, we published the book online and promoted it on social media to broaden its reach, generate additional support, and continue to raise funds for the school beyond our community. The entire experience has given students a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

Learn more about Kiley's experiences in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.